Rachael Morgan (Rutland)
2003 Scholarship Recipient
Rutland High School, Rutland

As a junior in high school, Rachael made a presentation on Judy Grahn, "a prominent lesbian poet." Rachael used her presentation to educate her classmates about the socio/political/sexual context in which this poet wrote thirty years ago. She felt she made a difference because her classmates had various reactions to her choice of poet and poem.

Rachael has been described as a "kind leader" who, while not afraid to express her feelings and values can be assertive with peers and adults and does not force her opinions on others and is open to hearing them out.

She told us that "In this world it is difficult to be different. People will hate you for it. As small children, we are taught that if a bully pushes you, you ignore him or tell an adult. Now that I'm as adult I must be the one who the children of tomorrow can turn to for help. I don't want to live in a world of hate crimes and homophobia. But I understand that it won't change unless someone does something about it. I try to be one of those people. I try to make a difference so that I can be different."

Rachael is making a difference by being an active participant in the Rutland County Youth Group, working to encourage diversity on all sorts of aspects of life.

Rachael will be attending Castleton State College this fall, where she intends to minor in women's studies with a particular emphasis on lesbian and bisexual issues.